You Like It Darker: Stories by Stephen King

This book should teach us that one should never anticipate a book based on its title. Because the title is YOU LIKE IT DARKER, I expected these stories to be vintage Stephen King, dark, and, perhaps, creepy. Nope. With a couple of exceptions, there wasn't even much paranormal. Not that anything by King is disappointing; it's just not what I was expecting. Another thing is that the title says "Stories"--not "short stories"--because at least one was more novella length. Live and learn.

I enjoyed all of the stories in this collection, some more than others. My favorites, "Two Talented Bastids" and "The Answer Man," were storytelling at its finest. All had interesting characters, and "Rattlesnakes" used characters from King's oldie but goodie CUJO.

I discovered Stephen King early in his career and have been a constant reader ever since. I'm not a fan of story collections—I prefer one long story—something I can get immersed in—but this is a good one as a collection goes. 

4/5 stars.

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